Radio Network Node, User Equipment and Methods Performed in a Wireless Communication Network

ABSTRACT

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a user equipment, UE ( 10 ), for communicating in a wireless communication network. 
     The UE ( 10 ) receives a wake-up signal with a multibit indication from a radio network node ( 12 ), wherein the multibit indication comprises a first bit indicating to start or not to start, for a first cell, an on-duration timer at one or more of the next occurrence of an on-duration, and a second bit indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration for the second cell. The UE ( 10 ) further performs an action related to the wake-up signal taking the received multibit indication into account.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a radio network node, a user equipment (UE)and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication.Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer-readable storagemedium are also provided herein. Especially, embodiments herein relateto handling or enabling communication, e.g. handling wake-up signals(WUS) from the radio network node in a wireless communication network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communication network, UEs, also known as wirelesscommunication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or wirelessdevices, communicate via a Radio access Network (RAN) to one or morecore networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is dividedinto service areas or cell areas, with each service area or cell areabeing served by network node such as an access node e.g. a Wi-Fi accesspoint or a radio base station (RBS), which in some radio accesstechnologies (RAT) may also be called, for example, a NodeB, an evolvedNodeB (eNodeB) and a gNodeB (gNB). The service area or cell area is ageographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio networknode. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies tocommunicate over an air interface with the wireless devices within rangeof the access node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink(DL) to the wireless device and the wireless device communicates over anuplink (UL) to the access node.

A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a thirdgeneration telecommunication network, which evolved from the secondgeneration (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTSterrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN usingwideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed PacketAccess (HSPA) for communication with user equipments. In a forum knownas the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunicationssuppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and futuregeneration networks and UTRAN specifically, and investigate enhanceddata rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g. as in UMTS, severalradio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave,to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a basestation controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates variousactivities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCsare typically connected to one or more core networks.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completedwithin the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this workcontinues in the coming 3GPP releases (Rel), such as 4G and 5G networks.The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio accessnetwork, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as SystemArchitecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radioaccess technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connectedto the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of anEPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio networknodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

With the emerging 5G technologies also known as new radio NR, the use ofvery many transmit- and receive-antenna elements is of great interest asit makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side andreceive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that thetransmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected directionor directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in otherdirections. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplifysignals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressingunwanted signals from other directions.

Beamforming allows the signal to be stronger for an individualconnection. On the transmit-side this may be achieved by a concentrationof the transmitted power in the desired direction(s), and on thereceive-side this may be achieved by an increased receiver sensitivityin the desired direction(s). This beamforming enhances throughput andcoverage of the connection. It also allows reducing the interferencefrom unwanted signals, thereby enabling several simultaneoustransmissions over multiple individual connections using the sameresources in the time-frequency grid, so-called multi-user MultipleInput Multiple Output (MIMO).

Carrier Aggregation (CA) is generally used in NR (5G) and LTE systems toimprove UE transmit receive data rate. With carrier aggregation, the UEtypically operates initially on a single serving cell called a primarycell (Pcell). The Pcell is operated on a component carrier in afrequency band. The UE is then configured by the network with one ormore secondary cells (SCell) or secondary serving cells (Scell(s)). EachScell can correspond to a component carrier (CC) in the same frequencyband (intra-band CA) or different frequency band (inter-band CA) fromthe frequency band of the CC corresponding to the Pcell. For the UE totransmit/receive data on the Scell(s) (e.g. by receiving downlink-sharedchannel (DL-SCH) information on a physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) or by transmitting uplink-shared channel (UL-SCH) on a physicaluplink shared channel (PUSCH), the Scell(s) need to be activated by thenetwork. The Scell(s) may also be deactivated and later reactivated asneeded via activation/deactivation signalling.

FIG. 1 illustrates Scell activation/deactivation related proceduresspecified for Rel15 NR. As shown in the figure, except for channel stateinformation (CSI) reporting, the UE is allowed to start performing other‘activation related actions’, e.g. physical downlink control channel(PDCCH) monitoring for Scell, physical uplink control channel(PUCCH)/sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission on the Scell,within a specified range of slots. I.e., after the minimum requiredactivation delay, specified in TS 38.213 v. 15.0.0, and before themaximum allowed activation delay, specified in TS 38.133 v 15.0.0. CSIreporting for the Scell starts, and stops, with a fixed slot offsetafter receiving the activation, or deactivation, command.

It is first indicated a slot in which Scell activation command, e.g.,medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), is received. Then, itis indicated a Slot, diagonally striped, where the UE starts channelstate information (CSI) reporting for Scell. Out of range (OOR) isreported until Scell is not activated. UE may start PDCCH monitoring andapply other activation related actions from this slot. Furthermore, itis shown a Slot, horizontally striped, by which the UE shall start PDCCHmonitoring and apply other activation related action described in 38.321v. 15.0.0 subclause 5.9. Deactivation process is also shown in FIG. 1where it is shown a slot in which Scell deactivation command (MAC CE) isreceived. The UE may stop PDCCH monitoring and apply other deactivationrelated actions from this slot. Then, it is indicated a slot, diagonallystriped, where the UE shall stop PDCCH monitoring and apply otherdeactivation related action described in 38.321 v. 15.0.0 subclause 5.9.Furthermore, it is indicated the slot where the UE stops CSI reportingfor Scell.

Below it is shown a minimum required activation delay and a maximumallowed activation delay for some example conditions:

-   -   Minimum required activation delay is k1+3 ms+1 slots as        specified 38.213 sub clause 4.3. Assuming 30 kHz numerology for        Pcell, and k1=4, this would be 5.5 ms.    -   Maximum allowed activation delay depends on conditions described        in 38.133 sub clause 8.3.2 and the value varies based on UE        measurement configuration, operating frequency range and other        aspects.        -   Assuming T_HARQ in 38.133 v. 15.0.0 has similar meaning as            k1 in 38.213, and assuming ‘known Scell’ with Scell            measurement cycle is equal to or smaller than [160 ms], and            T_csi_reporting=4 slots            -   For FR1 and 30 kHz SCS,                -   If synchronization signal (SS) block based radio                    resource management (RRM) measurement timing                    configuration (SMTC) periodicity 5 ms, the delay                    cannot be larger than (T_HARQ=4 slots)+(T_act_time=5                    ms+5 ms)+(T_csi_report=4 slots)=14 ms;                -   SMTC periodicity 20 ms, the delay cannot be larger                    than (T_HARQ=4 slots)+(T_act_time=5 ms+20                    ms)+(T_csi_report=4 slots)=29 ms.            -   For FR2, assuming this is the first Scell being                activated in that FR2 band,                -   SMTC periodicity 5 ms, the delay is 4 slots+5                    ms+TBD*5 ms+4 slots=6 ms+X*5 ms;                -   SMTC periodicity 20 ms, the delay is 4 slots+5                    ms+TBD*20 ms+4 slots=6 ms+X*20 ms                -   X>1 is to be decided (TBD) in current Rel15 specs.

For other conditions, e.g., Scell is not ‘known’ and SMTC periodicitiesare longer, the maximum allowed activation delay is much longer than thevalues in the above example.

To get around large activation delays, dormancy-like behavior is beingconsidered by allowing a UE to stay in activated state on Scells, butuse layer one (L1) indication to adapt PDCCH monitoring for the Scells,while allowing the UE to continue performing CSI reporting/measurements.

UE power consumption: To reduce UE power consumption, multipletechniques such as using wake-up signaling are being considered.Significant power can be spent on monitoring the PDCCH in NR as a UEneeds to perform blind detection in its configured control resource sets(CORESET) to identify whether there is a PDCCH sent to it. Techniquesthat can reduce unnecessary PDCCH monitoring or allowing the UE to go tosleep or wake-up only when required can be beneficial, and wake-upsignaling is one approach being considered for reducing UE powerconsumption.

SUMMARY

Regarding Scell indication in the wake-up signal (WUS), existingsolutions do not show the UE behavior. Also, existing solutions do notclearly address the UE behavior in case of simultaneous configuration ofWUS and multiple DRX configurations within one cell group.

An object of embodiments herein is to provide a mechanism that improvesthe performance in the wireless communication network.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by providing a methodperformed by a UE for communicating in a wireless communication network.The UE receives a wake-up signal with a multibit indication from a radionetwork node, wherein the multibit indication comprises a first bitindicating to start or not to start, for a first cell, an on-durationtimer at one or more of the next occurrence of an on-duration, and asecond bit indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancy behavior on asecond cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration for the secondcell. The UE then performs an action related to the wake-up signaltaking the received multibit indication into account.

According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a methodperformed by a radio network node for handling communication of a UE ina wireless communication network. The radio network node transmits awake-up signal with a multibit indication to the UE, wherein themultibit indication comprises a first bit indicating to start or not tostart, for a first cell, an on-duration timer at one or more of the nextoccurrence of an on-duration, and a second bit indicating to applydormancy or non-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the nextoccurrence of an on-duration for the second cell. Thus, the multibitindication indicates whether the wake-up signal is for a first cell,e.g., a first serving cell such as a primary cell, or a second cell,e.g., a secondary serving cell such as a secondary cell.

According to still another aspect, the object is achieved by providing aUE and a radio network node configured to perform the methods herein.Thus, it is herein provided a UE for communicating in a wirelesscommunication network. The UE is configured to receive a wake-up signalwith a multibit indication from a radio network node, wherein themultibit indication comprises a first bit indicating to start or not tostart, for a first cell, an on-duration timer at one or more of the nextoccurrence of an on-duration, and a second bit indicating to applydormancy or non-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the nextoccurrence of an on-duration for the second cell. The UE is furtherconfigured to perform an action related to the wake-up signal taking thereceived multibit indication into account. Furthermore, it is hereinprovided a radio network node for handling communication of a UE in awireless communication network. The radio network node is configured totransmit a wake-up signal with a multibit indication to the UE, whereinthe multibit indication comprises a first bit indicating to start or notto start, for a first cell, an on-duration timer at one or more of thenext occurrence of an on-duration, and a second bit indicating to applydormancy or non-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the nextoccurrence of an on-duration for the second cell.

It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprisinginstructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause theat least one processor to carry out any of the methods above, asperformed by the radio network node, or the UE, respectively. It isadditionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, havingstored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which,when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to carry out the method according to any of the methods above,as performed by the radio network node, or the UE, respectively.

It is herein disclosed a solution where a WUS includes a multibitindication being separate indications for e.g. Pcell and Scells. Forexample, if the first bit, e.g., being a Pcell indication in WUS,indicates ‘wake-up’, the UE starts an on-duration timer at nexton-duration instance according to a DRX pattern; otherwise the UE doesnot start the on-duration timer. For an Scell, if the second bitindicates ‘wake-up’, the UE applies corresponding actions of dormancyindicator wake-up; otherwise the UE applies corresponding actions ofdormancy indicator sleep. Interaction with discontinuous reception (DRX)procedure and dormancy behavior for Scells are, by embodiments herein,taken into account in the design related to an Scell indication in theWUS.

It is further disclosed, herein, a timer-based mechanism that maycomplement layer one (L1)-based indication for transitioning betweendormancy and non-dormancy behavior and potential default behavior at thestart of on-duration.

If the UE is configured with multiple DRX configurations, WUS maycontain a separate indication per DRX configuration to inform whether tostart (or not) on-duration timer for the corresponding DRXconfiguration.

Thus, it is herein disclosed a solution that allows an efficientmonitoring of cells using the WUS with the multibit indication,resulting in an improved performance of the wireless communicationnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to theenclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates Scell activation/deactivation related proceduresspecified for Rel15 NR;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communicationnetwork according to embodiments herein;

FIG. 2 b is a combined signalling scheme and flowchart according toembodiments herein;

FIG. 2 c is a flowchart depicting a method performed by a UE accordingto embodiments herein;

FIG. 2 d is a flowchart depicting a method performed by a radio networknode according to embodiments herein;

FIGS. 3 a-3 e are schematic overviews of transmissions of WUSs;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a UE according to embodimentsherein;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a radio network node according toembodiments herein;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connectedvia an intermediate network to a host computer;

FIG. 7 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicatingvia a base station with a user equipment over a partially wirelessconnection; and

FIGS. 8-11 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in acommunication system including a host computer, a base station and auser equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein are described within the context of 3GPP NR radiotechnology (3GPP TS 38.300 V15.2.0 (2018-06)). It is understood, thatthe problems and solutions described herein are equally applicable towireless access networks and user-equipments (UE) implementing otheraccess technologies and standards. NR is used as an example technologywhere embodiments are suitable, and using NR in the descriptiontherefore is particularly useful for understanding the problem andsolutions solving the problem. In particular, embodiments are applicablealso to 3GPP LTE, or 3GPP LTE and NR integration, also denoted asnon-standalone NR.

Embodiments herein relate to wireless communication networks in general.FIG. 2 a is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communicationnetwork 1. The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or moreRANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may useone or a number of different technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Long TermEvolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Fifth Generation (5G), Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobilecommunications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are ofparticular interest in a 5G context, however, embodiments are alsoapplicable in further development of the existing wireless communicationsystems such as e.g. WCDMA and LTE.

In the wireless communication network 1, wireless devices e.g. a UE 10such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, a userequipment and/or a wireless terminal, communicate via one or more AccessNetworks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should beunderstood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting termwhich means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, userequipment, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device(D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor,relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable ofcommunicating using radio communication with a network node within anarea served by the network node.

The wireless communication network 1 comprises a first radio networknode 12 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first cell11 or first service area, of a radio access technology (RAT), such asLTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or similar. The first radio network node 12 may be atransmission and reception point e.g. a radio network node such as aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access PointStation (AP STA), an access node, an access controller, a base station,e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB), a gNodeB (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, anAccess Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmissionarrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or anyother network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within thearea served by the first network node 12 depending e.g. on the radioaccess technology and terminology used. The first radio network node 12may alternatively or additionally be a controller node or a packetprocessing node such as a radio controller node or similar. The firstradio network node 12 may be referred to as the first radio network nodeor as a primary serving network node wherein the first cell 11 may bereferred to as a primary serving cell or primary cell, and the servingnetwork node 12 communicates with the UE in form of DL transmissions tothe UE 10 and UL transmissions from the UE 10.

The wireless communication network 1 comprises a second radio networknode 13 providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second cell14 or a second service area, of a radio access technology (RAT), such asLTE, Wi-Fi, WiMAX or similar. The second radio network node 13 may be atransmission and reception point e.g. a radio network node such as aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access PointStation (AP STA), an access node, an access controller, a base station,e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB), a gNodeB (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, anAccess Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmissionarrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or anyother network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within thearea served by the second radio network node 13 depending e.g. on theradio access technology and terminology used. The second radio networknode 13 may alternatively or additionally be a controller node or apacket processing node such as a radio controller node or similar. Thesecond radio network node 13 may be referred to as a secondary servingnetwork node wherein the second cell 14 may be referred to as asecondary serving cell or secondary cell, and the secondary servingnetwork node 13 communicates with the UE 10 in form of DL transmissionsto the UE 10 and UL transmissions from the UE 10.

It should be noted that a cell may be denoted as service area, beam,beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage. The radionetwork nodes may transmit reference signals (RS), e.g. paging signalsuch as WUS to wake up the UE 10 from a dormant state.

According to embodiments herein, the first 12 or the second 13 radionetwork node transmits a wake-up signal (WUS) e.g. a reference signal ora paging signal, with a multibit indication. The multibit indicationcomprises a first bit indicating to start or not to start, for a firstcell, an on-duration timer at one or more of the next occurrence of anon-duration, and a second bit indicating to apply dormancy ornon-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of anon-duration for the second cell. The multibit indication indicateswhether the wake-up signal is for a first cell, e.g. a first servingcell such as a primary cell, or a second cell, e.g. a secondary servingcell such as a secondary cell. The UE 10 receives the multibitindication and performs an action, e.g. initiate a timer for beingon-duration, based on the multibit indication.

Note that in a general scenario the term “radio network node” can besubstituted with “transmission point”. Distinction between thetransmission points (TPs) may typically be based on CRSs or differentsynchronization signals transmitted. Several TPs may be logicallyconnected to the same radio network node, but if they are geographicallyseparated, or are pointing in different propagation directions, the TPsmay be subject to the same mobility issues as different radio networknodes. In subsequent sections, the terms “radio network node” and “TP”can be thought of as interchangeable.

FIG. 2 b is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according toembodiments herein. The actions may be performed in any suitable order.

Action 201. The first radio network node 12 (or the second radio networknode 13) transmits the WUS to the UE with the multibit indication,wherein the multibit indication comprises the first bit indicating tostart or not to start, for the first cell 11, an on-duration timer atone or more of the next occurrence of an on-duration, and the second bitindicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancy behavior on the second cell14 at the next occurrence of an on-duration for the second cell.

Action 202. The UE 10 receives the WUS and the indication and behavesbased on the received indication. E.g., the UE 10 starts a timer foron-duration for the first cell 11 if the WUS is for the first cell 11and/or apply dormancy behavior on the second cell 14 if the WUS isfurther for second cell 14.

The method actions performed by the UE 10 for communicating in thewireless communication network according to embodiments herein will nowbe described with reference to a flowchart depicted in FIG. 2 c . Theactions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may betaken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments aremarked with dashed boxes.

Action 211. The UE 10 may indicate via UE capability signalling whetherit supports Scell grouping in WUS on a per-band, per-frequency range, orper carrier basis, e.g. supports SCell grouping in Downlink controlindicator (DCI) format monitored outside Active time.

Action 212. The UE 10 receives the wake-up signal with the multibitindication, wherein the multibit indication comprises the first bitindicating to start or not to start, for the first cell, an on-durationtimer at one or more of the next occurrence of an on-duration, and thesecond bit indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancy behavior on thesecond cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration for the secondcell. Thus the multibit indication may be an indication that indicateswhether the wake-up signal is for the first cell, or the second cell.Thus, the UE 10 is in connected mode, whereby the radio network node 12is already connected to the UE 10, and the radio network node sends theWUS or the PDCCH to wake-up/not-wake up UE based on traffic burstarrival/absence. The UE 10 may receive the wake-up signal by monitoringa downlink control indicator (DCI) format based on PDCCH outside activetime. The wake-up signal may comprise a separate indication perdiscontinuous reception (DRX) configuration to inform whether to startor not an on-duration timer for the corresponding DRX configuration. Thefirst cell may be a primary cell, and the second cell may be a secondarycell. The multibit indication may comprise a first bit affecting a timerrelated to change of state of the UE 10 based on which PDCCH monitoringis adjusted on first cell and a second cell; and a second bit adjustingthe PDCCH monitoring or bandwidth part used only for the second cell.

Action 213. The UE 10 performs an action related to the wake-up signaltaking the received multibit indication into account. The action maycomprise, e.g., initiating a timer or not based on the multibitindication and/or entering a state or not based on the multibitindication. The timer may relate to entering dormancy state or comingout from dormancy state. The UE 10 may e.g. stay in DRX, when theon-duration timer is not started, and when in DRX, stop PDCCH monitoringon the first cell and the second cell, and stop CSI measurement andreporting for the first cell and the second cell. When dormancybehaviour is indicated, the UE 10 may stop PDCCH monitoring on thesecond cell and continue CSI measurements and reporting for the secondcell. When dormancy behaviour is indicated, the UE 10 may switch to aBandwidth part (BWP) with no PDCCH monitoring on the second cell.

In other words:

It is herein disclosed e.g. a method performed by the UE 10 that isconfigured with one or more serving cells and is configured with DRX,for communicating in a wireless communication network. The UE 10 maymonitor a DCI format, i.e. the WUS signal, outside Active time, the DCIformat having one or more fields, i.e. the indication(s), indicatinginformation related to one or more serving cells. The UE 10 may detect aDCI format outside active time, and may perform the action which may beone or more of the following actions: a first action associated with DRXfunctionality based on a value of a first bit in the detected DCIformat, and a second action on the one or group of SCells based on asecond bit in the detected DCI format corresponding to the one SCell orthe group of SCells. The first action may be to start or not start anon-duration timer at the next occurrence of on-duration based on thevalue of a first bit in the detected DCI format. The second action maybe to apply dormancy behaviour or non-dormancy behaviour based on thevalue of a second bit in the detected DCI format corresponding to oneSCell or group of SCells. The on-duration timer may be started at nexton-duration instance according to DRX pattern if the first bit indicates‘wake-up’ or ‘On’. The dormancy behaviour may be applied for one orgroup of SCells if the second bit indicates ‘Off’. The dormancybehaviour may imply switching to a BWP on the Scell or group of SCellswith no PDCCH monitoring. The UE 10 may perform a third action onanother SCell or another group of SCells based on a third bit in thedetected DCI format corresponding to another SCell or the another groupof SCells.

Alternatively, it is herein disclosed a method performed by the UE 10that is configured with one or more serving cells and is configured withDRX, for communicating in the wireless communication network. The UE 10may receive configuration information, with multiple DRX configurations,with one DRX configuration per group of cells, and may monitor a DCIformat, i.e. the WUS signal, outside Active time, the DCI format havingone or more fields i.e. indications, each field indicating informationrelated to DRX configuration for a group of cells. The UE 10 may detecta DCI format outside active time, and may perform the following actions:a first action associated with DRX functionality based on a value of afirst bit in the detected DCI format for the first group of cells, and asecond action associated with DRX functionality based on a value of asecond bit in the detected DCI format for a second group of cells. Thefirst action may be to start or not start an on-duration timer at thenext occurrence of on-duration based on the value of a first bit in thedetected DCI format for the first DRX configuration. The second actionmay be to start or not start an on-duration timer at the next occurrenceof on-duration based on the value of a second bit in the detected DCIformat for the second DRX configuration. The on-duration timer may bestarted at next on-duration instance according to DRX pattern if thefirst bit indicates ‘wake-up’ or ‘On’. The on-duration timer may bestarted at next on-duration instance according to DRX pattern if thesecond bit indicates ‘wake-up’ or ‘On’. The first group of cells may bebelong to frequency range 1 and have a first DRX configuration, and thesecond group of cells may belong to frequency range 2 and have a secondDRX configuration. If a first group of cells is in DRX, and a secondgroup of cells is in active time, the UE 10 may receive an indication onthe second group of cells to bring the UE 10 out of DRX in the firstgroup of cells. The indication may be a MAC message.

The method actions performed by the first radio network node 12 forhandling communication of the UE in the wireless communication networkaccording to embodiments herein will now be described with reference toa flowchart depicted in FIG. 2 d . The actions do not have to be takenin the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order.Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

Action 221. The first radio network node 12 may receive via UEcapability signalling whether the UE 10 supports Scell grouping in WUSon a per-band, per-frequency range, or per carrier basis, e.g. supportsSCell grouping in DCI format monitored outside Active time.

Action 222. The first radio network node 12 transmits the wake-up signalwith the multibit indication to the UE 10. The multibit indicationcomprises the first bit indicating to start or not to start, for thefirst cell, the on-duration timer at one or more of the next occurrenceof an on-duration, and the second bit indicating to apply dormancy ornon-dormancy behavior on the second cell at the next occurrence of anon-duration for the second cell. Thus, the multibit indication indicateswhether the wake-up signal is for a first cell or a second cell. Thewake-up signal may comprise a separate indication per DRX configurationto inform whether to start or not an on-duration timer for thecorresponding DRX configuration. The first cell may be a primary cell,and the second cell may be a secondary cell. The indication may berelated to initiating a timer or not based on the multibit indicationand/or entering a state or not based on the multibit indication. Thetimer may relate to entering dormancy state or coming out from dormancystate. The multibit indication may comprise a first bit affecting atimer related to change of state of the UE based on which PDCCHmonitoring is adjusted on a first cell and a second cell; and a secondbit adjusting the PDCCH monitoring or bandwidth part used only for thesecond cell.

FIG. 3 a illustrates how to behave for Scells based on an indicationreceived. The FIG. 3 a shows a basic WUS operation for a UE configuredwith DRX and three serving cells. In this example, there is only 1-bitindication or a single wake-up indication for all cells. When the UE 10detects a wake-up signal outside Active time and before an on-duration,the UE 10 may start the corresponding on-duration timer at the nexton-duration occasion, and may monitor PDCCH in the correspondingon-duration and in Active time (if it receives scheduling messages). Ifthe UE 10 does not detect a wake-up signal outside Active time andbefore an on-duration, the UE 10 may not start the correspondingon-duration timer at the next on-duration occasion, i.e. not monitorPDCCH in the corresponding on-duration.

If separate Scell indication in WUS is to be supported, then thecorresponding UE behavior and procedures need to be specified. It isalso desirable to ensure that the wake-up signaling mechanism can workwith dormancy (or dormancy-like) behavior for Scells. Dormancy-like canmean sparse/no PDCCH monitoring on activated Scell while maintaining CSImeasurements/reporting.

Scell Indication in WUS and UE Behavior.

The UE 10 is configured with one or more serving cells. The UE 10 mayfurther be configured with DRX, which includes e.g. an on-duration timerconfiguration, an inactivity timer configuration. The UE 10 isconfigured to monitor a downlink control indicator (DCI) format in awake-up signal, e.g. based on PDCCH outside Active time. The DCI formatmay have one or more fields, i.e. bits, indicating information relatedto one or more serving cells.

In an example, the DCI may have multiple bits, with at least 1 bitcorresponding to a Pcell and one or more bit(s) corresponding to one ormore Scells. A first bit corresponding to PCell indicates whether tostart (or not start) a timer (e.g. on-duration timer) at one or more ofthe next occurrence of on-duration. A second bit corresponding to anScell (or a group of Scells) may indicate whether the UE 10 appliesdormancy behavior on the Scell (or group of Scells) or not applydormancy behavior on the Scell (or group of Scells) at the nextoccurrence of on-duration.

The indication, such as a bit in WUS corresponding to a first cell, mayaffect a timer related to change of state of the UE 10 such as theon-duration timer, based on which PDCCH monitoring is adjusted on afirst cell and a second cell; and a second bit in the WUS correspondingto a second cell may not affect the start of an on-duration timer, butinstead may adjust the PDCCH monitoring (or bandwidth part (BWP) used)only for the second cell. The first cell may be a PCell or a Primarysecondary cell (PScell). The second cell may be an Scell.

If an indication, such as the bit corresponding to a PCell, indicatesthe UE 10 to start the on-duration timer, and if a second indication,such as second bit corresponding to an Scell, is set to a first value(e.g. 0), then the UE 10 may go to dormancy behavior for that Scell. TheUE 10 may go to dormancy behavior for the Scell at the start of theon-duration timer.

If the bit corresponding to PCell indicates the UE 10 to start theon-duration timer, and if the bit corresponding to an Scell is set to asecond value (e.g. 1), then the UE 10 may go to non-dormancy behaviorfor that Scell. The UE 10 may go to non-dormancy behavior for the Scellat the start of the on-duration timer.

The UE 10 may be configured with a Pcell and one or more Scells, and theUE may be configured with DRX pattern. The UE 10 may be configured withWUS with the indication corresponding to the Pcell and the one or moreScells

For the Pcell, if the indication indicates ‘wake-up’, the UE may startthe on-duration timer at the next on-duration instance according to DRXpattern; otherwise the UE 10 may not start the on-duration timer. Forthe Scell, if the indication indicates ‘wake-up’, the UE 10 may applycorresponding actions of dormancy indicator wake-up; otherwise the UE 10may apply corresponding actions of dormancy indicator sleep.

The second bit, such as a dormancy indicator Wake-up, may indicate theUE 10 to go to BWPx if multiple BWPs configured. The dormancy indicatorWake-up may indicate to the UE 10, to start monitoring PDCCH (or PDCCHon) if one BWP is configured. The second bit such as a dormancyindicator Sleep may indicate to the UE to go to BWPy if multiple BWPsare configured. The dormancy indicator Sleep may indicate the UE 10 tostop monitoring PDCCH (or PDCCH off) if one BWP is configured.

For the UE 10 being configured with dual connectivity, the aboveprinciple can be applied on a per cell group with corresponding DRXpatterns and WUS.

For the master cell group (MCG), the principle may be applied for PCelland Scells belonging to the MCG.

For the secondary cell group (SCG), the principle may be applied forPSCell (or the PCell for the SCG) and Scells belonging to the SCG.

A tabular example is shown below:

TABLE 1 Table illustrating UE behavior for example Scell indication inWUS Pcell indication Scell indication in WUS in WUS UE behavior on onMonitor PDCCH on PCell Monitor PDCCH on SCells assuming non-dormancybehavior on off Monitor PDCCH on PCell Monitor PDCCH on SCells assumingdormancy behavior off on Don't start OnDurationTimer, i.e., stay in DRXon all cells off off Don't start OnDurationTimer, i.e., stay in DRX onall cells Dormancy behavior above may imply one or more of the followingStop monitoring PDCCH on the Scell (e.g. if only one BWP is configuredfor the UE) Switch to a specific BWP on the Scell (e.g. if more than onBWP configured for the Scell, then switch to BWP with no/sparse PDCCHmonitoring) Measure/report CSI with a relaxed timing (i.e., more latencybetween CSI trigger and corresponding report) compared to non-dormancy.Non-dormancy behavior above may imply one or more of the followingMonitor PDCCH on the Scell (e.g. if only one BWP is configured for theUE) Switch to a specific BWP on the Scell (e.g. if more than on BWPconfigured for the Scell, then switch to BWP with PDCCH monitoring)Measure/report CSI with a regular timing (i.e., less delay between CSItrigger and corresponding report) compared to dormancy.

When dormancy behavior is applied for an Scell, the UE 10 may stop PDDCHmonitoring or change BWP for the Scell, but the UE 10 may continue CSImeasurements/reporting for the Scell.

When the on-duration timer for an on-duration is not started, the UE 10may skip that on-duration and may stay in DRX. When in DRX, the UE maystop PDCCH monitoring on PCell and all the Scells, and the UE 10 mayalso not measure/report CSI for the Pcell and all the Scells.

There can be one bit per Scell in WUS. Alternately, the same principlecan be applied to groups of Scells, i.e. groups of Scells can betransitioned to dormancy or non-dormancy behavior. In one example, thereis only one cell in one group (Pcell), and all Scells are in a secondgroup.

The UE 10 may indicate via UE capability and/or assistance signaling ifit supports Scell grouping in WUS on a per-band, per-frequency range, orper carrier basis. This may allow the UE 10 to indicate its preferencefor power savings, e.g. to avoid cases where dormancy behavior may notbe beneficial.

FIG. 3 b shows an example with multi-bit indication in WUS. When WUS isnot detected, the on-duration timer is not started. When WUS isdetected, and the bit corresponding to Pcell (e.g. first bit in theindication) will indicate to the UE 10 to start the correspondingon-duration timer. The bit corresponding to Scell 1 (e.g. 2nd bit in theindication set to 1) may indicate the UE 10 to go to non-dormancybehavior at the beginning of the on-duration. The bit corresponding toScell 2, e.g. 3rd bit in the indication set to 1, may indicate to the UE10 to go to non-dormancy behavior at the beginning of the on-duration.

FIG. 3 c shows an example with multi-bit indication in WUS. When WUS isnot detected, the on-duration timer is not started. When WUS isdetected, and the bit corresponding to Pcell (e.g. first bit in theindication set to 1) may indicate the UE 10 to start the correspondingon-duration timer. The bit corresponding to Scell 1 (e.g. 2nd bit in theindication set to 1) may indicate to the UE 10 to go to non-dormancybehavior at the beginning of the on-duration. The bit corresponding toScell 2 (e.g. 3rd bit in the indication set to 0) may indicate to the UE10 to go to dormancy behavior at the beginning of the on-duration. WhenActive time ends, the UE 10 may go to DRX on all cells.

FIG. 3 d shows an example with multi-bit indication in WUS andillustrates an issue with having dormancy indication only in WUS. WhenWUS is not detected, the on-duration timer is not started. When WUS isdetected, and the bit corresponding to Pcell (e.g. first bit in theindication set to 1) may indicate to the UE 10 to start thecorresponding on-duration timer. The bit corresponding to Scell 1 (e.g.2nd bit in the indication set to 1) may indicate to the UE 10 to go tonon-dormancy behavior at the beginning of the on-duration. The bitcorresponding to Scell 2 (e.g. 3rd bit in the indication set to 0) mayindicate to the UE 10 to go to dormancy behavior at the beginning of theon-duration. If a big packet arrives during active time, the UE 10 maynot monitor the WUS, and hence there would be no way of indicatingtransitioning from dormancy to non-dormancy on the Scell 2.

FIG. 3 e shows an example with multi-bit indication in the WUS and howto resolve the issue (shown in FIG. 3 d ) with having dormancyindication only in WUS. When WUS is not detected, the on-duration timeris not started. When WUS is detected, and the bit corresponding to Pcell(e.g. first bit in the indication set to 1) will indicate to the UE 10to start the corresponding on-duration timer. The bit corresponding toScell 1 (e.g. 2^(nd) bit in the indication set to 1) may indicate to theUE 10 to go to non-dormancy behavior at the beginning of theon-duration. The bit corresponding to Scell 2 (e.g. 3^(rd) bit in theindication set to 0) may indicate to the UE 10 to go to dormancybehavior at the beginning of the on-duration. If a big packet arrivesduring active time, the UE 10 may not monitor the WUS, and hence an L1indication (to transition between dormancy and non-dormancy behavior onScells) may be used to transition from dormancy to non-dormancy on theScell 2.

When Active time ends, the UE 10 may go to DRX on all cells.

Timer-Based Mechanism to Complement L1-Based Indication forTransitioning Between Dormancy and Non-Dormancy Behavior.

Timer based dormancy to non-dormancy behavior may also be specified asan enhancement to L1-based indication for transitioning between dormancyand non-dormancy behavior. The timer can reduce the need for a network(NW) to send L1-based commands to the UE 10 (e.g. to transition todormancy behavior), especially in cases of high load on the controlchannels.

The UE 10 may be configured with a timer value, for transitioningbetween dormancy and non-dormancy behavior.

In one example, the timer may be used to transition to dormancybehavior. If L1 indicates On (or transition to non-dormancy behavior),the UE 10 may start a timer and stays in non-dormancy behavior until thetimer expires; the UE 10 may further go to dormancy behavior upon timerexpiry.

In another example, a timer can be used to transition to non-dormancybehavior. If L1 indicates Off (or transition to dormancy behavior), theUE 10 may start a timer and stays in dormancy behavior until the timerexpires, the UE 10 may go to non-dormancy behavior upon timer expiry.

If the DRX inactivity timer expires, or at the start of on-durationtimer, the UE 10 may start in a pre-determined behavior (dormancy ornon-dormancy) for one or more Scells. The pre-determined behavior may beconfigured by higher layers or indicated by MAC CE.

In another mechanism (to resolve the issue from FIG. 3 d ), if the UE 10is in Active time, and is unable to monitor WUS, then one way to bringback Scell 2 from dormancy is to tie conditions together—a Dormancytimer begins at the beginning of the on-duration for Scell 2, and if theUE 10 is in active time and dormancy timer for Scell 2 expires, then thecorresponding Scell 2 transitions to non-dormancy.

Handling multiple DRX configurations with WUS and fast transitions outof DRX.

The UE 10 may be configured with multiple DRX configurations, one pergroup of cells. For example, frequency range 1 (FR1) cells have DRXconfiguration 1, and frequency range 2 (FR2) cells have DRXconfiguration 2. Assume for sake of illustration, that the DRXon-durations (and DRX cycles) are overlapping at least partially. Then,such a design allows using a single WUS mechanism to wake up both groupsof cells.

If the UE 10 is configured with multiple DRX configurations, the WUS maycontain separate indications, e.g., one indication per DRX configurationto inform whether to start (or not) on-duration timer for thecorresponding DRX configuration. The indication may also indicatewhether the corresponding on-duration timer may be started. Theindication may also and further indicate one of dormancy or non-dormancybehavior.

If a first group of cells is sleeping (or is in DRX), and second groupof cells is in active time, an indication on the second group of cellscan be sent to the UE 10 to come out of DRX in the first group of cells.Bring the UE 10 out of DRX may not be same as bringing the UE 10 out ofdormancy. MAC-based wake-up or MAC based bring back of groups of cellsthat are sleeping may be used.

When the UE 10 is configured with multiple DRX configurations, and theon-duration timer for an on-duration corresponding to a DRXconfiguration is not started, the UE 10 may skip that on-duration andmay stay in DRX for the group of cells associated with the DRXconfiguration. When in DRX, the UE 10 may stop PDCCH monitoring on allthe serving cells associated with the DRX configuration, and the UE 10may also not measure/report CSI for the serving cells associated withthe DRX configuration.

With the reception of the indication, in one example, an Inactivitytimer is started in the first group of cells. To allow the UE 10 to comeout of DRX on the first group of cells, a transition time may bespecified before the inter arrival time (IAT) timer may be started forthat group of cells. Alternatively, with the reception of theindication, the UE is expected to wake up at the next instance ofon-duration regardless of whether the UE 10 detects a WUS or not in thecorresponding monitoring occasion.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting the UE 10 for communicating in thewireless communication network 1 such as handling communication e.g.handling or enabling paging from the first radio network node 12 and thesecond radio network node 13 in the wireless communication network 1according to embodiments herein.

The UE 10 may comprise processing circuitry 801, e.g. one or moreprocessors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The UE 10 may comprise a receiving unit 802, e.g. a receiver or atransceiver. The UE 10, the processing circuitry 801, and/or thereceiving unit 802 is configured to receive the WUS with the multibitindication from the radio network node such as the first 12 or thesecond network node 13, wherein the multibit indication comprises thefirst bit indicating to start or not to start, for the first cell, theon-duration timer at one or more of the next occurrence of theon-duration, and the second bit indicating to apply dormancy ornon-dormancy behavior on the second cell at the next occurrence of theon-duration for the second cell. The wake-up signal may comprise aseparate indication per DRX configuration to inform whether to start ornot an on-duration timer for the corresponding DRX configuration. Thefirst cell may be a primary cell, and the second cell may be a secondarycell.

The UE 10 may comprise a performing unit 803. The UE 10, the processingcircuitry 801, and/or the performing unit 803 is configured to performan action related to the wake-up signal taking the received multibitindication into account such as initiating a timer or not based on theindication. The action may comprise initiating a timer or not based onthe multibit indication and/or entering a state or not based on themultibit indication. The timer may relate to entering dormancy state orcoming out from dormancy state. The indication may be a multibitindication comprising the first bit affecting the timer related tochange of state of the UE 10 based on which PDCCH monitoring is adjustedon the first cell and the second cell; and the second bit adjusting thePDCCH monitoring or bandwidth part used only for the second cell. The UE10, the processing circuitry 801, and/or the performing unit 803 may beconfigured to stay in DRX, when the on-duration timer is not started,and when in DRX, configured to stop PDCCH monitoring on the first celland the second cell, and to stop CSI measurement and reporting for thefirst cell and the second cell. The UE 10, the processing circuitry 801,and/or the performing unit 803 may be configured to, when dormancybehaviour is indicated, stop PDCCH monitoring on the second cell and tocontinue CSI measurements and reporting for the second cell. The UE 10,the processing circuitry 801, and/or the performing unit 803 may beconfigured to, when dormancy behaviour is indicated, switch to a BWPwith no PDCCH monitoring on the second cell. The UE 10, the processingcircuitry 801, and/or the receiving unit 802 may be configured toreceive the wake-up signal by monitoring the DCI format based on PDCCHoutside active time.

The UE 10 further comprises a memory 807. The memory comprises one ormore units to be used to store data on, such as indications, WUSs, RSs,strengths or qualities, UL grants, indications, requests, commands,timers, applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when beingexecuted, and similar. The UE 10 comprises a communication interfacecomprising one or more antennas.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the UE 10are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product805 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software codeportions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the atleast one processor to carry out the actions described herein, asperformed by the UE 10. The computer program product 805 may be storedon a computer-readable storage medium 806, e.g. a universal serial bus(USB) stick, a disc or similar. The computer-readable storage medium806, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprisethe instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, asperformed by the UE 10. In some embodiments, the computer-readablestorage medium may be a non-transitory or a transitory computer-readablestorage medium.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting the radio network node 12 forhandling communication of the UE 10 in the wireless communicationnetwork 1, e.g. facilitating, configuration in the wirelesscommunication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

The radio network node 12 may comprise processing circuitry 1001, e.g.one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The radio network node 12 may comprise a transmitting unit 1002. Theradio network node 12, the processing circuitry 1001 and/or thetransmitting unit 1002 is configured to transmit, to the UE 10, the WUSwith the multibit indication, wherein the multibit indication comprisesthe first bit indicating to start or not to start, for the first cell,the on-duration timer at one or more of the next occurrence of theon-duration, and the second bit indicating to apply dormancy ornon-dormancy behavior on the second cell at the next occurrence of theon-duration for the second cell. Thus, the multibit being an indicationindicating whether the WUS is for the first cell, e.g. PCell, and/or thesecond cell, e.g. Scell. The WUS may comprise a separate indication perDRX configuration to inform whether to start or not an on-duration timerfor the corresponding DRX configuration. The first cell may be a primarycell, and the second cell may be a secondary cell. The indication may berelated to initiating a timer or not based on the multibit indicationand/or entering a state or not based on the multibit indication. Thetimer may relate to entering dormancy state or coming out from dormancystate. The multibit indication may comprise the first bit affecting atimer related to change of state of the UE based on which PDCCHmonitoring may be adjusted on a first cell and a second cell; and thesecond bit adjusting the PDCCH monitoring or bandwidth part used onlyfor the second cell.

The radio network node 12 further comprises a memory 1005. The memorycomprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as WUSs,indications, strengths or qualities, grants, scheduling information,timers, applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when beingexecuted, and similar. The radio network node 12 comprises acommunication interface comprising transmitter, receiver, transceiverand/or one or more antennas.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for radionetwork node 12 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computerprogram product 1006 or a computer program product, comprisinginstructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out theactions described herein, as performed by the first radio network node12. The computer program product 1006 may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium 1007, e.g. a USB stick, a disc orsimilar. The computer-readable storage medium 1007, having storedthereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructionswhich, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by theradio network node 12. In some embodiments, the computer-readablestorage medium may be a non-transitory or transitory computer-readablestorage medium.

In some embodiments a more general term “radio network node” is used andit can correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node,which communicates with a wireless device and/or with another networknode. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, Master eNB, Secondary eNB, anetwork node belonging to Master cell group (MCG) or Secondary CellGroup (SCG), base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodesuch as MSR BS, eNodeB, network controller, radio network controller(RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controllingrelay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmissionpoints, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head(RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node e.g.Mobility Switching Centre (MSC), Mobile Management Entity (MME) etc.,Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Operation Support System (OSS),Self-Organizing Network (SON), positioning node e.g. Evolved ServingMobile Location Centre (E-SMLC), Minimizing Drive Test (MDT) etc.

In some embodiments the non-limiting term wireless device or userequipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless devicecommunicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellularor mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device,device-to-device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), machinetype UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA,PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped(LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

The embodiments are described for 5G. However the embodiments areapplicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the UE receives and/ortransmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. LTE, LTE FDD/TDD, WCDMA/HSPA,GSM/GERAN, Wi Fi, WLAN, CDMA2000 etc.

As will be readily understood by those familiar with communicationsdesign, that functions means or modules may be implemented using digitallogic and/or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or otherdigital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the variousfunctions may be implemented together, such as in a singleapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or moreseparate devices with appropriate hardware and/or software interfacesbetween them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processorshared with other functional components of a wireless device or networknode, for example.

Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processingmeans discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware,while others are provided with hardware for executing software, inassociation with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term“processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer tohardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include,without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-onlymemory (ROM) for storing software, random-access memory for storingsoftware and/or program or application data, and non-volatile memory.Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included.Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost,performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these designchoices.

With reference to FIG. 6 , in accordance with an embodiment, acommunication system includes a telecommunication network 3210, such asa 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 3211,such as a radio access network, and a core network 3214. The accessnetwork 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212 a, 3212 b, 3212c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access pointsbeing examples of the radio network node 12 herein, each defining acorresponding coverage area 3213 a, 3213 b, 3213 c. Each base station3212 a, 3212 b, 3212 c is connectable to the core network 3214 over awired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) 3291,being an example of the UE 10, located in coverage area 3213 c isconfigured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the correspondingbase station 3212 c. A second UE 3292 in coverage area 3213 a iswirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212 a. While aplurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are illustrated in this example, thedisclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a soleUE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to thecorresponding base station 3212.

The telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to a hostcomputer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software ofa standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server oras processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 may beunder the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operatedby the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Theconnections 3221, 3222 between the telecommunication network 3210 andthe host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 tothe host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination ofmore than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediatenetwork 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; inparticular, the intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or moresub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 6 as a whole enables connectivitybetween one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230.The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 areconfigured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, anyintermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (notshown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 may be transparent inthe sense that the participating communication devices through which theOTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlinkcommunications. For example, a base station 3212 may not or need not beinformed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communicationwith data originating from a host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g.,handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplinkcommunication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer3230.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE,base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphswill now be described with reference to FIG. 7 . In a communicationsystem 3300, a host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including acommunication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wiredor wireless connection with an interface of a different communicationdevice of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 furthercomprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/orprocessing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specificintegrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations ofthese (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer3310 further comprises software 3311, which is stored in or accessibleby the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The hostapplication 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user,such as a UE 3330 connecting via an OTT connection 3350 terminating atthe UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to theremote user, the host application 3312 may provide user data which istransmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 forsetting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with aninterface of a different communication device of the communicationsystem 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up andmaintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 locatedin a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 7 ) served by the base station3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate aconnection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may bedirect or it may pass through a core network (not shown in FIG. 7 ) ofthe telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediatenetworks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown,the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes processingcircuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors,application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arraysor combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions.The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally oraccessible via an external connection.

The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 alreadyreferred to. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a basestation serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currentlylocated. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processingcircuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors,application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arraysor combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions.The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in oraccessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The clientapplication 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human ornon-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 maycommunicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTTconnection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310.In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 mayreceive request data from the host application 3312 and provide userdata in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 maytransfer both the request data and the user data. The client application3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that itprovides.

It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330illustrated in FIG. 7 may be identical to the host computer 3230, one ofthe base stations 3212 a, 3212 b, 3212 c and one of the UEs 3291, 3292of FIG. 6 , respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of theseentities may be as shown in FIG. 7 and independently, the surroundingnetwork topology may be that of FIG. 6 .

In FIG. 7 , the OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly toillustrate the communication between the host computer 3310 and the userequipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicit reference toany intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via thesedevices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it maybe configured to hide from the UE 3330 or from the service provideroperating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions bywhich it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of loadbalancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments describedthroughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodimentsimprove the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 usingthe OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms thelast segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments mayimprove the performance since first and/or second cells are handle moreefficiently and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waitingtime, and better responsiveness.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoringdata rate, latency and other factors on which the one or moreembodiments improve. There may further be an optional networkfunctionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the hostcomputer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurementresults. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality forreconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330,or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or inassociation with communication devices through which the OTT connection3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure bysupplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, orsupplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311,3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguringof the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmissionsettings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect thebase station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the basestation 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known andpracticed in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involveproprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer's 3310measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. Themeasurements may be implemented in that the software 3311, 3331 causesmessages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages,using the OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times,errors etc.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 8will be included in this section. In a first step 3410 of the method,the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep 3411 of thefirst step 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing ahost application. In a second step 3420, the host computer initiates atransmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third step3430, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which wascarried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, inaccordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughoutthis disclosure. In an optional fourth step 3440, the UE executes aclient application associated with the host application executed by thehost computer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 9will be included in this section. In a first step 3510 of the method,the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown)the host computer provides the user data by executing a hostapplication. In a second step 3520, the host computer initiates atransmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may passvia the base station, in accordance with the teachings of theembodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional thirdstep 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 10will be included in this section. In an optional first step 3610 of themethod, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer.Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step 3620, the UEprovides user data. In an optional substep 3621 of the second step 3620,the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In afurther optional substep 3611 of the first step 3610, the UE executes aclient application which provides the user data in reaction to thereceived input data provided by the host computer. In providing the userdata, the executed client application may further consider user inputreceived from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which theuser data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third substep3630, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourthstep 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user datatransmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of theembodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 11will be included in this section. In an optional first step 3710 of themethod, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments describedthroughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from theUE. In an optional second step 3720, the base station initiatestransmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a thirdstep 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in thetransmission initiated by the base station.

Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed embodiments willcome to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s)is/are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and thatmodifications and other embodiments are intended to be included withinthe scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

Abbreviations

-   -   ACK Acknowledged    -   ADC Analog-to-digital conversion    -   AGC Automatic gain control    -   ANR Automatic neighbour relations    -   AP Access point    -   BCH Broadcast channel    -   BLER Block error rate    -   BRS Beam Reference Signal    -   BS Base station    -   BSC Base station controller    -   BTS Base transceiver station    -   CA Carrier aggregation    -   CC Component carrier    -   CG Cell group    -   CGI Cell global identity    -   CP Cyclic prefix    -   CPICH Common pilot channel    -   CQI Channel Quality Indicator    -   CSG Closed subscriber group    -   CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal    -   DAS Distributed antenna system    -   DC Dual connectivity    -   DFT Discrete Fourier Transform    -   DL Downlink    -   DL-SCH Downlink shared channel    -   DRX Discontinuous reception    -   EARFCN Evolved absolute radio frequency channel number    -   ECGI Evolved CGI    -   eNB eNodeB    -   FDD Frequency division duplex    -   FFT Fast Fourier transform    -   HD-FDD Half duplex FDD    -   HO Handover    -   ID Identity    -   M2M machine to machine    -   MAC Media access control    -   MCG Master cell group    -   MDT Minimization of drive tests    -   MeNB Master eNode B    -   MIB Master information block    -   MME Mobility management entity    -   MRS Mobility Reference Signal    -   MRTD Maximum receive timing difference    -   MSR Multi-standard radio    -   NACK Not acknowledged    -   OFDM Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing    -   RI Rank Indicator    -   SI System Information    -   PCC Primary component carrier    -   PCI Physical cell identity    -   PCell Primary Cell    -   PCG Primary Cell Group    -   PCH Paging channel    -   PDU Protocol data unit    -   PGW Packet gateway    -   PHICH Physical HARQ indication channel    -   PLMN Public land mobile network    -   PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator    -   PSCell Primary SCell    -   PSC Primary serving cell    -   PSS Primary synchronization signal    -   RAT Radio access Technology    -   RF Radio frequency    -   RLM Radio link monitoring    -   RNC Radio network Controller    -   RRC Radio resource control    -   RRH Remote radio head    -   RRU Remote radio unit    -   RSCP Received signal code power    -   RSRP Reference Signal Received Power    -   RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality    -   RSSI Received signal strength indication    -   RSTD Reference signal time difference    -   RV Redundancy version    -   Rx Receiver    -   SCC Secondary component carrier    -   SCell Secondary Cell    -   SCG Secondary Cell Group    -   SeNB Secondary eNode B    -   SFN System frame number    -   SGW Signalling gateway    -   SI System information    -   SIB System information block    -   SIB1 System information block type 1    -   SINR Signal to interference and noise ratio    -   SON Self-organizing networks    -   SSC Secondary serving cell    -   SSS Secondary synchronization signal    -   TA Timing advance    -   TAG Timing advance group    -   TDD Time division duplex    -   Tx Transmitter    -   UARFCN UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number    -   UE User equipment    -   UL Uplink

1.-26. (canceled)
 27. A method performed by a user equipment, UE,configured for discontinuous reception, DRX, for communicating in awireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving amultibit indication from a radio network node of a first cell, whereinthe multibit indication comprises a first bit indicating to start or notto start an on-duration timer at the next occurrence of an on-durationof the discontinuous reception, DRX, configuration, and a second bit,different from the first bit, indicating to apply dormancy ornon-dormancy behavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of anon-duration for the second cell; and performing an action related to thereceived multibit indication.
 28. The method according to claim 27,wherein the first cell is a primary cell, and the second cell is asecondary cell.
 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein performingthe action comprises initiating a timer or not based on the multibitindication and/or entering a state or not based on the multibitindication.
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the timerrelates to entering dormancy state or coming out from dormancy state.31. The method according to claim 27, wherein performing the actioncomprises staying in Discontinuous reception, DRX, when the on-durationtimer is not started, and when in DRX, stopping physical downlinkcontrol channel, PDCCH, monitoring on the first cell and the secondcell, and stopping channel state information, CSI, measurement andreporting for the first cell and the second cell.
 32. The methodaccording to claim 27, wherein performing the action comprises, whendormancy behavior is indicated, stopping physical downlink controlchannel, PDCCH, monitoring on the second cell and continuing channelstate information, CSI, measurements and reporting for the second cell.33. The method according to claim 27, wherein performing the actioncomprises, when dormancy behavior is indicated, switching to a Bandwidthpart, BWP, with no physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, monitoringon the second cell.
 34. The method according to claim 27, whereinreceiving the multibit indication comprises monitoring a downlinkcontrol indicator, DCI, format based on physical downlink controlchannel, PDCCH, outside active time.
 35. A method performed by a radionetwork node for handling communication of a user equipment, UE, in awireless communication network, the method comprising: configuring theUE with a discontinuous reception, DRX, configuration; transmitting amultibit indication to the UE in a first cell, wherein the multibitindication comprises a first bit indicating to start or not to start, anon-duration timer at the next occurrence of an on-duration of thediscontinuous reception, DRX, configuration, and a second bit, differentfrom the first bit, indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancybehavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration forthe second cell.
 36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the firstcell is a primary cell, and the second cell is a secondary cell.
 37. Themethod according to claim 35, wherein the indication is related toinitiating a timer or not based on the multibit indication and/orentering a state or not based on the multibit indication.
 38. The methodaccording to claim 37, wherein the timer relates to entering dormancystate or coming out from dormancy state.
 39. A non-transitory computerprogram product comprising instructions which, when executed on at leastone processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methodaccording to claim 27 as performed by the user equipment or radionetwork node, respectively.
 40. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing a computer program product comprisinginstructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause theat least one processor to carry out the method according to claim 27 asperformed by the user equipment or radio network node, respectively. 41.A user equipment, UE, configured for discontinuous reception, DRX, forcommunicating in a wireless communication network, the UE comprisingprocessing circuitry operable to: receive a multibit indication from aradio network node of a first cell, wherein the multibit indicationcomprises a first bit indicating to start or not to start, anon-duration timer at the next occurrence of an on-duration of thediscontinuous reception, DRX, configuration, and a second bit, differentfrom the first bit, indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancybehavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration forthe second cell; and perform an action related to the received multibitindication.
 42. The UE according to claim 41, wherein the first cell isa primary cell, and the second cell is a secondary cell.
 43. The UEaccording to claim 41, wherein the action comprises initiating a timeror not based on the multibit indication and/or entering a state or notbased on the multibit indication.
 44. The UE according to claim 43,wherein the timer relates to entering dormancy state or coming out fromdormancy state.
 45. The UE according to claim 41, wherein the processingcircuitry is operable to stay in Discontinuous reception, DRX, when theon-duration timer is not started, and when in DRX, operable to stopphysical downlink control channel, PDCCH, monitoring on the first celland the second cell, and to stop channel state information, CSI,measurement and reporting for the first cell and the second cell. 46.The UE according to claim 41, wherein the processing circuitry isoperable to, when dormancy behavior is indicated, stop physical downlinkcontrol channel, PDCCH, monitoring on the second cell and to continuechannel state information, CSI, measurements and reporting for thesecond cell.
 47. The UE according to claim 41, wherein the processingcircuitry is operable to, when dormancy behavior is indicated, switch toa Bandwidth part, BWP, with no physical downlink control channel, PDCCH,monitoring on the second cell.
 48. The UE according to claim 41, whereinthe processing circuitry is operable to, receive the multibit indicationby monitoring a downlink control indicator, DCI, format based onphysical downlink control channel, PDCCH, outside active time.
 49. Aradio network node for handling communication of a user equipment, UE,in a wireless communication network, the radio network node comprisingprocessing circuitry operable to: configuring the UE with adiscontinuous reception, DRX, configuration; transmit a multibitindication to the UE in a first cell, wherein the multibit indicationcomprises a first bit indicating to start or not to start, anon-duration timer at the next occurrence of an on-duration of thediscontinuous reception, DRX, configuration, and a second bit, differentfrom the first bit, indicating to apply dormancy or non-dormancybehavior on a second cell at the next occurrence of an on-duration forthe second cell.
 50. The radio network node according to claim 49,wherein the first cell is a primary cell, and the second cell is asecondary cell.
 51. The radio network node according to claim 49,wherein the indication is related to initiating a timer or not based onthe multibit indication and/or entering a state or not based on themultibit indication.
 52. The radio network node according to claim 51,wherein the timer relates to entering dormancy state or coming out fromdormancy state.